I want my paintings to evoke both melancholy and joy, as if you are seeing something for the first time, even if you’ve seen it before.

—Jean-Baptiste Bernadet

Jean-Baptiste Bernadet often expresses an introspective and conceptual view of his art practice. He describes his painting as a “container” for the time in which it is created, valuing the tactile, real-world interaction it provides, especially as an alternative to the omnipresence of digital imagery. His goal is for each piece to evoke both celebration and reflection, bridging feelings of melancholy and joy in what he sees as a poetic blend of fleeting and enduring moments.

Bernadet also speaks about the spatial relationship in his installations, preferring to control the context in which his work is displayed, emphasizing that a painting's placement is as crucial as its creation. He is particular about these settings, as they can profoundly influence the way his work is perceived and interacted with by viewers. Bernadet's artistic inspirations span from Renaissance painters like Titian and Bellini to modern figures like Gerhard Richter, reflecting his deep connection with historical and contemporary movements and how these influences inform his unique approach to color and form.